Collymore said: “I was comparing Everton’s crop of young players with Spurs’ crop of young players, and the difference seems to be that Pochettino knows how to defend. He knows how to not put players under pressure by virtue of not just letting them go out and do Cruyff turns on the edge of their own 18-yard box, and play silly little balls here and there. Does Martinez have what it takes to take this club forward?”

Martinez’s Everton side can call upon John Stones, Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu, who are all young and exceptionally talented. When attacking there are few teams who can match them, and they have the potential to blow sides away with ease.

However, they are not a solid team, and Pochettino’s Spurs side have the ability to shut out most sides when needed.

Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane make up the spine of the Tottenham team, and they have sent Spurs into a realistic title fight.

Collymore has suggested that Pochettino’s ability to set a team up to defend is aiding the development of his young players, as they come under pressure less often.

John Stones has been criticised for trying to play his way out of trouble even when easier options are there, and Martinez has clearly not coached him to make the simple pass at times.

This is unlike Pochettino, who has made his talented youngsters extremely productive, without ever playing a style which puts their own team under pressure.

Martinez’s coaching is actively limiting the potential of his players, whilst Pochettino is making his youngsters grow exceptionally, and Collymore highlights a real issue which could prevent the Everton talents reaching their full potential at Goodison Park.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.